One day in 2009 Anna Wintour – editrix of “Vogue” and the last word in all things fabulous – decided that the recession was unfashionable.

Not being a shrinking violet, she set about doing something about it. After ringing up NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg for some municipal muscle, she launched Fashion’s Night Out in the Big Apple to give retail a big boost.

Now the shopping event – this year on Thursday, September 6 – is a global effort, tied to getting the consumer excited about fashion and into the malls, stores and boutiques around the world. In Manhattan it is also the official start of New York Fashion Week.

Here is stylish SoFlo there are plenty of events that are free and open to the public (although there are some you need to RSVP for). Many of them are fundraiser for a variety of local charities. Check out the list below and keep coming back as I am adding info right up to the night before:

BROWARD COUNTY

Las Olas Boulevard – Deborah James at 623 E. Las Olas will have a fall fashion preview, a live photo shoot, gift drawings as well as beverages and bites from 4 to 9 p.m. Other stores participating with in-store events include Tommy Bahama at 1002 E. Las Olas; Fresh Produce at 912 E. Las Olas and LF Stores at 916 E. Las Olas.

Lilac and Lilies – informal modeling, designer deals (15% off) and a “fashion Face-Off” celebrating the launch of a new fashion blog by Ali Claire Marino (yup, that Marino) where the gridiron great’s daughter competes in an online style war with bestie Ali Kostoff. To RSVP, call 954-530-3109 or email Kelli@LilacAndLilies.com. The boutique is at 2541 East Sunrise Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale.

Last year’s fashion show at FNO in Westfield Broward Mall.

Westfield Broward Mall – the evening will include: a fashion show (as well as “pop-up” fashion shows); V.I.P. wine tasting; exhibition of digital artist Laurence Gartel’s work; performance from local musician Krystal Brooke; a Mariachi Band (for the opening of Taco Bell) and plenty of giveaways from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. The mall is at 8000 W. Broward Boulevard in Plantation.

Neiman Marcus in Galleria Mall – there will be a fall trend runway show starting at 6 p.m. as well as sips, snacks and music (by DJ Saryz). RSVP by calling 954-396-4544 or emailing RSVPFortLauderdale@NeimanMarcus.com. Neiman Marcus in Fort Lauderdale is at 2442 E. Sunrise Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale.

PALM BEACH COUNTY

Neiman Marcus in Town Center at Boca Raton – in addition to acrobats and makeovers from 6 to 9 p.m., there will be a fall trends fashion show at 7:30 p.m. styled by Miami stylist David Fittin as well as tastings from Boca Raton restaurants such as Red – The Steakhouse, Rosso Ialia, Tanzy, Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza and Mariposa. For more information, call 561-544-2313. Neiman Marcus is at 5860 Glades Road in Boca Raton.

CityPlace – aside from in-store events and promotions at CityPlace shops and restaurants (including gifts-with-purchases at Tommy Bahama, specials at “Fashionista Night Out” at Blue Martini and discounts/refreshments at SEE Eyewear), guests who spend $200 or more at CityPlace shops can also receive a free pair of Muvico IMAX tickets. For more information, go to PalmBeachFL.com. CityPlace is located at 700 S. Rosemary Avenue in West Palm Beach.

Downtown Delray Beach – will feature entertainment, gallery showings and dining specials at all downtown restaurants. Roxy Lulu Boutique will showcase their new line of Roxy Lulu fashions; Kismet Vintage Clothing is having an in-store party from 6 to 9 p.m.; Old Vines Wine and Spirits is having a wine tasting event with a fashion show by Hy Ma Hy Pa Boutique from 5:30-7:30 p.m. (which will be followed by open house event at Hy Ma Hy Pa); Zen Dali is having an open house event showcasing Jen Scoz designs from 6 to 10 p.m. and The Legacy will be showing their fall collection. For more information, go to PalmBeachFL.com.

Pictured are (left to right) Mark Trowbridge of the Coral Gables Chamber, designer Rene Ruiz, and Pamela Fuertes of The Beacon Council at a special meet-and-greet with Ruiz in his atelier recently. The reception was in anticipation of Fashion’s Night Out Miami. Photo by Yamila Iomba

Worth Avenue - aside from the usual in-store events on the “style isle” there will be the Spa Ultra Lounge, a photo booth, a create-your-own Macaroon Station and an Eye Lash Bar from 6 to 8 p.m. New this year will be 150 Worth’s “Cake Couture Contest” held at the grand staircase to find the most fashionable cakes in Palm Beach County. Bakers and bakeries create their own couture cake, keeping the theme “iconic fashion” in mind. During Fashion’s Night Out Palm Beach, all cakes and designers will be on display, where guests will have the opportunity to see these couture creations and vote on their favorites alongside a panel of local celebrity judges. For more information, go to PalmBeach FL.com.

The Gardens Mall – in addition to food tastings, makeovers, giveaways and 60-plus in-store events, there will be something called a “Vodka Luge” (which is carved out of solid ice and pours chilled pink vodka into mini-martini glasses) from 6 to 9 p.m. Keeping with pink theme, there will be pink popcorn, “Lilly” pink cotton candy cones and pink milkshakes. Bloomingdale’s will feature informal modeling. The Gardens Mall is at 3101 PGA Boulevard in Palm Beach Gardens.

DADE COUNTY

Aventura Mall - from 6 to 9 p.m. there will me mall-wide special events, promotions and gifts. The first 100 shoppers who present same-day receipts from any Aventura Mall store or restaurant totaling $100 or more will receive a pair of Michael Kors FNO exclusive aviator sunglasses. And speaking of Michael Kors, there will be a Michael Kors lounge party in the mall’s center court from 7 to 9 p.m. RSVP to 305-792-1110 or by emailing AventuraConcierges@Turnberry.com. For more information, go to AventuraMall.com/beautyoffashion.

Macy’s in Aventura Mall – South Florida supermodel Niki Taylor, Countess Luann de Lesseps from Bravo’s “Real Housewives of New York City,” Julissa Bermudez from the Style Network’s “Empire Girls and local fashion designer Luciana Scarabello from NBC’s “Fashion Star” will host a fashion show starting at 6 p.m. on the second level. At 7 p.m. there will be one-on-one style consultations on the first level; a shopping party on the second level and a restaurant tasting on the third level (Morton’s Steakhouse, il Mulino Cucina Italiano, Bourbon Steak and The Cascata Grille. Seating is for the fashion show is limited. RSVP by calling 305-577-1818. The rest of the events do not require a RSVP. Macy’s in Aventura Mall is at 19535 Biscayne Boulevard in Aventura.

Chloe Boutique in Bal Harbour Shops – is hosting and in-store shopping event from 6 to 10 p.m. to celebrate the launch of the brand’s new handbag “Alice” with champagne and tunes from DJ Johnny The Boy. RSVP by emailing Chloe@taraink.com or calling 305-864-3434, ext. 522.

FNO last year at Dadeland Mall

Dadeland Mall – fashion vignettes, in-store events and giveaways from 6 to 8 p.m. Nordstrom will have its party from 6 to 9 p.m. with make-up applications, fragrance samplings and styling tips from resident beauty experts as well as personal stylists on hand to show the best fall fashion looks. Saks Fifth Avenue will start with a Fendi Fatto a Mano event where customers can design their very own one-of-a-kind Selleria bag (witht he help of a Fendi craftsman). In the Saks beauty department there will be a launch party for Hanae Mori’s latest fragrance Eau de Collection No. 7 while in the 10022 shoe department there will be a meet-and-greet with Michael Connors, author of “The Splendor of Cuba: 450 Years of Architecture and Interiors” as well as a trunk show of Alexander McQueen shoes. The fur salon at Saks/Dadeland will host a presentation titled “The Best of Saks.” The mall is at 7535 N. Kendall Drive in Miami.

The Miami Design District – this year there will be a “pop-up” market called The District Factory, which will be dedicated to Miami’s best emerging talent (in The Collins Building at 139 N.E. 39th Street). Luxury brands such as Marni (3930 N.E. 2nd Avenue, suite 100); Maison Martin Margiela (3930 N.E. 2nd Avenue, suite 101) as well as boutiques En Avance (161 N.E. 40th Street), Anya Ponorovskaya (35 N.E. 40th Street), Scotch &Soda (130 N.E. 40th Street), Sebastien James (130 N.E. 40th Street, Turchin Love & Light Jewelry (130 N.E. 40th Street) and I on the District (120 N.E. 40th Street) will all have in-store events . DJ Mike Sikes will be spinning and there will be a live musical performance by avant-dance duo Afrobeat at Oak Plaza Plummer Alley ( a pedestrian corridor between 39th and 40th Avenues) from 6 to 10 p.m.

Village of Merrick Park – as the official FNO event for “Ocean Drive” magazine there will be a fashion show styled by “Sex and the City’s” Danny Santiago. Guests who enjoy the shops between the fashion show and cocktails will receive a gift-with-purchase of $50 or more. The fashion show starts at 7 p.m. in the East Court. The Village of Merrick Park is located at 358 San Lorenzo Avenue in Coral Gables.

Nordstrom in Village of Merrick Park – will have its party from 6 to 10 p.m. with make-up applications, fragrance samplings and styling tips from resident beauty experts as well as personal stylists on hand to show the best fall fashion looks. For more information or to book your appointment with a stylist call 786-999-1313. The Village of Merrick Park is located at 358 San Lorenzo Avenue in Coral Gables.

The crowd at The Gardens Mall in Palm Beach Gardens last year during Fashion's Night Out

Partiers at FNO in the Miami Design District last year. Photo by Alex Markow

The Beacon Council and the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce hosted a special meet and greet with local couture designer Rene Ruiz at his atelier the evening of Wednesday, August 22, 2012 in anticipation of FNO Miami. Photo by Yamila Iomba

Comments (9 Comments)

[...] Fashion's Night Out in Palm Beach, Delray, Boca, Fort Lauderdale and Miami Lilac and Lilies – informal modeling, designer deals (15% off) and a “fashion Face-Off” celebrating the launch of a new fashion blog by Ali Claire Marino (yup, that Marino) where the gridiron great's daughter competes in an online style war with bestie … Read more on Fashion (blog) [...]

I have attended FNO for the past 2 years at Merrick Park, Coral Gables, FL. FABulous, indeed. FABulous people, fashion, eats, drinks & locale!! Can’t wait until Sept. 6th!!! One and only night of the year that counts!!!

[...] Fashion's Night Out in Palm Beach, Delray, Boca, Fort Lauderdale and Miami Lilac and Lilies – informal modeling, designer deals (15% off) and a “fashion Face-Off” celebrating the launch of a new fashion blog by Ali Claire Marino (yup, that Marino) where the gridiron great's daughter competes in an online style war with bestie … Read more on Fashion (blog) [...]

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About the author

ROD STAFFORD HAGWOOD
I could have sworn I was interviewing for "fashionable" editor back in 1990 when I applied for this job...